Loro Piana Skiwear Capsule Begs the Question How Much is Too Much?

It's fair to say the Skiing is a luxury pursuit.  The entire practice of reaching a destination where one can engage in it is expensive, and these simply aren't destinations that you can idle without accommodation.  Sub zero temperatures kill, meaning that has to be factored in.  Furthermore, the equipment to take part in the active element of it is expensive.  Ski's, goggles, clothing.  The short point is, this is expensive stuff.

The question is however, how much is too much?  With Loro Piana to the rescue with an attempt to bravely answer precisely that question.  If anyone though Moncler's £1,300.00 salopette's were simply too cheap, or even that Cucinelli's £1,600.00 ones can't be taken seriously at that price, Loro Piana has a version now for £5,060.00.

The eye-watering prices don't stop there however, ski jackets from £5,650.00, gloves from £745.00, and ski helmets, a pure safety piece costing £400.00 even from high-end brands such as Porsche Design here retail for £2,245.00.

Some might say that if these prices make you wince, then it's not for you, and those people likely work for Loro Piana.  It's one thing to charge thousands for fine cashmere and vicuna garments, made from materials that are scarce, and difficult to obtain.  Whether that scarcity has been artificially created by monopolising a supply chain is frankly somewhat irrelevant, it still applies.  However, what's happening here is just pure over-inflation and speculation.

There is nothing but the Loro Piana branding to distinguish these cotton, nylon and polycarbonate items of functional skiwear from any from other brands.  In our view, rather than being for the Gstaad set, these should and would have those very types smirking quietly to themselves and looking away.  Because while marketing hype would have you believe that the truly wealthy utterly disregard the price of luxury goods, this isn't correct.  Even in the rarefied atmosphere of the Eagle Club and other environs a rat can easily be smelled, and in fact, a fool who has been parted from their money is far more easily spotted.